A newly aquired Kirach

Rick · 15th January 2012, 05:43 PM

Hi Jens, here's to getting older; it beats the alternative .

I'm glad to hear you are putting your knowledge to paper .
Could you hazard a guess as to the area that hilt came from ?

Stefan, the chiseling on that blade is marvelous .

Jens Nordlunde · 15th January 2012, 06:21 PM

Hi Rick,
NNW 17th century.
As to the way of fighting with these swords, I don't think the size was the most important, as the tulwar is not any longer and the tulwar was used for horse fighting.
I don't know, but to me it seems, as if the forward bend tip is excellent for a horseman's attack - for someone who sits higher that the one whom he wants to attack.

Rick · 16th January 2012, 02:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jens Nordlunde

Hi Rick,
NNW 17th century.
As to the way of fighting with these swords, I don't think the size was the most important, as the tulwar is not any longer and the tulwar was used for horse fighting.
I don't know, but to me it seems, as if the forward bend tip is excellent for a horseman's attack - for someone who sits higher that the one whom he wants to attack.

Jens, I see a resemblance to the cupped disc of the pulwar in that hilt .
What do the flattened quillons indicate; non Afghan origin ?

I would think that my example would be a bit too short for horseback use; more for close in work .

Jens Nordlunde · 16th January 2012, 04:27 PM

Rick,
Yes, you are right I should have written Afghanistan/NNW - and Afghanistan the most likely place of origin.
Jens

Rick · 16th January 2012, 04:57 PM

I find the variety of hilts mounted to these blades quite interesting .

It would seem that they come from different areas so the kirach does not appear to be unique to any particular user group .

Would that be a safe conclusion to draw ?

Jens Nordlunde · 16th January 2012, 06:19 PM

Rick,
To be quite honest, I don't know what would be a safe conclusion to make of this.
Blades, hilts and swords as a whole were sold and looted from all over India, so it is sometimes hard to tell from where a certain weapon origins. It is, however, likely that it originated from the areas where you find them most often, like throwing a stone into the water. Although it can be a mistake to judge from that - but it can be likely.
Some serious research should be made of the kirach blades and the hilts used, and this would no doubt, bring new aspects into the discussion.
If a group of maximum three was formed, where at least one knows how to start/make a research, and they concentrated on researching the kirach, then - maybe, they would come closer to the answer.
Jens

15th January 2012, 05:43 PM	#1
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,339	Hi Jens, here's to getting older; it beats the alternative . I'm glad to hear you are putting your knowledge to paper . Could you hazard a guess as to the area that hilt came from ? Stefan, the chiseling on that blade is marvelous .

15th January 2012, 06:21 PM	#2
Jens Nordlunde Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Europe Posts: 2,718	Hi Rick, NNW 17th century. As to the way of fighting with these swords, I don't think the size was the most important, as the tulwar is not any longer and the tulwar was used for horse fighting. I don't know, but to me it seems, as if the forward bend tip is excellent for a horseman's attack - for someone who sits higher that the one whom he wants to attack.

16th January 2012, 04:27 PM	#4
Jens Nordlunde Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Europe Posts: 2,718	Rick, Yes, you are right I should have written Afghanistan/NNW - and Afghanistan the most likely place of origin. Jens

16th January 2012, 04:57 PM	#5
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,339	I find the variety of hilts mounted to these blades quite interesting . It would seem that they come from different areas so the kirach does not appear to be unique to any particular user group . Would that be a safe conclusion to draw ?

16th January 2012, 06:19 PM	#6
Jens Nordlunde Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Europe Posts: 2,718	Rick, To be quite honest, I don't know what would be a safe conclusion to make of this. Blades, hilts and swords as a whole were sold and looted from all over India, so it is sometimes hard to tell from where a certain weapon origins. It is, however, likely that it originated from the areas where you find them most often, like throwing a stone into the water. Although it can be a mistake to judge from that - but it can be likely. Some serious research should be made of the kirach blades and the hilts used, and this would no doubt, bring new aspects into the discussion. If a group of maximum three was formed, where at least one knows how to start/make a research, and they concentrated on researching the kirach, then - maybe, they would come closer to the answer. Jens